For Grace

Directed by Mark Helenowski and Kevin Pang

Curtis Duffy, a teen who fought and stole for the thrill, discovered his place in the kitchen after a home economics teacher nurtured his talents. After an unimaginable tragedy involving his parents, Duffy doubled down on his cooking career. Soon, his intense drive earned him accolades as one of the country's most renowned chefs. But as he began building his dream restaurant in Chicago, called Grace, Duffy found himself in another point of personal crisis: His laser focus cost him his marriage and two young daughters. For Grace is a documentary about food, family, sacrifice, and the journey from concrete box to opening night of one of the world's most acclaimed restaurants.

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  • ★★★★★ review by Diego on Letterboxd

    I feel guilty giving this a 5 star review because the middle 30 minutes really don't do it for me the way that the rest of this doc does. That being said, the last 30 minutes are so special to me that I can't give it any less.

    A less pretentious look at what it takes to make one of the best restaurants in the world. The focus is not on the food, but rather on the dedication and commitment that such a feat requires.

    I like it a lot.

  • ★★★★ review by warflower on Letterboxd

    Excellent documentary about the journey of Curtis Duffy from troubled teen to world renowned chef, clearly showing all the sacrifices one must make to make it in the restaurant business.

  • ★★★½ review by bcredskins on Letterboxd

    A re-watch on Netflix from seeing premier at SXSW. A great stream on Netflix (seek it out if you like food docs, or biopics) with solid cinematography and editing of content to document Curtis Duffy's career path in opening his restaurant Grace in Chicago.

    The road to artistic accomplishment and success is tough and seeing Duffy's struggles from a turbulent childhood to modern day career and family is tougher - making this a film of impact and emotional resonance.

  • ★★★½ review by Eric Spiegel on Letterboxd

    A surprisingly emotional insight into the making of a high class restaurant. It tells a good story about how difficult it is to balance being a world class chef and having a life outside of that.

  • ★★★★ review by Justin Leyba on Letterboxd

    For Grace is not so interested in the food that is being prepared, rather, its heart lies in the inspiring and also very disturbing story of the person preparing the food, Curtis Duffy. And man, was it appetizing.

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